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NEW YORK— The government should spend more money safeguarding railroad crossings that are "accidents waiting to happen," two U.S. senators said Sunday. Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., spoke at New York's Grand Central Terminal, the departing point for the Metro-North Railroad train that crashed into a car this month in Valhalla, north of the city. The car's driver and five train passengers died. Although the cause of the collision has not been determined, the lawmakers noted that more than 200 people died in grade-crossing accidents in 2013. They plan to introduce a bill this month to fund engineering and safety upgrades at...

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NEW YORK— The government should spend more money safeguarding railroad crossings that are "accidents waiting to happen," two U.S. senators said Sunday. Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., spoke at New York's Grand...

WASHINGTON — The Senate Thursday approved legislation to renew a federal program that is credited with reviving the market for insurance against terrorist attacks after its collapse in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.The sweeping 93-4 vote sends the...

With derailments, near accidents and safety lapses occurring at railroads in numerous states, Sen. Richard Blumenthal predicts that senators from all regions of the country — and both political parties — will embrace his proposal for reforming domestic...

I disagree with Sen. Charles Schumer that Democrats were too early in pushing for health reform [Nov. 25, news, "Top Democrat Says Obama Focus On Health Care In 2009 Was Mistake"].
If anything, they were about two decades too late. Insurers...

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is accusing Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm of dropping insurance coverage for some Long Island homeowners since storm Sandy hit last fall.At least one of those insurers, however, say they have not pulled...

The most demanding responsibility of a member of Congress, in my experience, was to remain open to the extraordinary diversity of opinion among my constituents and my colleagues. It's hard, and demands profound respect for those with whom you disagree,...

Immigration reform is coming. Let's get it right. What counts as getting it wrong? The 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli Act, signed by President Reagan. It granted amnesty to the then 3 million illegal immigrants and promised border enforcement.
Amnesty came....

WASHINGTON In January, when Speaker John A. Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress, it caused the type of controversy and media attention normally reserved for a declaration of war, not a speech that's...

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen navigated the tricky job of managing expectations on Tuesday in her first public comments on interest rate policy in more than two months. She wanted the world to know the Fed isn't ready yet to raise rates from record...

WASHINGTON When Republican leaders seized control of the Senate, they quickly targeted must-pass appropriations bills not shutdown showdowns as their best tool for reining in the Obama White House. Two months into the 114th Congress, they have...

WASHINGTON Days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is getting a mixed reaction to his plan to separate agency financing from opposition to President Barack Obama's immigration policies....

The Obama administration put its new deportation-relief program on hold Tuesday on the eve of its launch, complying reluctantly with a federal judge's order that roiled immigrant communities nationwide and seemed to harden an already-tense stalemate on...

WASHINGTON The opening gambit by Senate Democrats on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security gives a strong signal about how the party intends to handle its position as the minority on the Senate floor. The strategy of using fundamental...

Federal investigators looking into a fiery commuter train wreck that killed six people zeroed in Wednesday on what they called the big question on everyone's mind: Why was the driver of an SUV stopped on the tracks, between the lowered crossing gates? A...

Israel's ambassador to the United States got an earful on Wednesday from seven House Democrats angered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's acceptance of a Republican invitation to address Congress next month. Ron Dermer met privately with Jewish...

WASHINGTON Democrats banded together Tuesday to block the Senate from considering a Homeland Security spending bill, leaving GOP leaders scrambling to find another path forward to challenge the president over immigration. All 46 members of the...

WASHINGTON In divided government, it's nothing special for a presidential budget to be immediately dismissed as dead on arrival in Congress. It's much rarer for the president himself to whack an important piece of his budget a full week before delivery....

WASHINGTON As Senate Democrats praised the GOP majority for a new era of openness, they were already preparing for an abrupt turn when the chamber's attention focuses on immigration. "What we have seen over the last several weeks is the...

For four years, Republicans in Congress have been accused of obstructing President Barack Obama's agenda. Now, with the House and Senate under their control, GOP leaders are ready to turn the tables.
Over the next few months, congressional leaders plan...